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Ephesians.
Colossians.
Ephesians.
Colossians.
4: 1.
1: 10.
5: 18, 19.
3: 16.
4: 8.
2: 15.
4: 20-32.
3: 8-15.
4: 16.
2: 19.
5: 22 - 6: 9.
3: 18 - 4: 1.
4: 3.
3: 14.
Arising out of this close parallel comes the conviction that Colossians is dealing with
the same theme as Ephesians, and that we must be careful so to interpret the passages in
Colossians as to avoid conflict with the teaching of similar verses in Ephesians, and not
to go beyond its elective scope. Let us consider together some passages which will throw
light upon the context of the reconciliation, for if we can define the limits of the context,
we shall more truly perceive the meaning of the special verses.
In Eph. 1: 18, 19 we have the prayer of the Apostle, that the Ephesian believers may
know Who is the HOPE of His calling and Who the RICHES OF THE GLORY and what
the exceeding greatness of the power. Col. 1: supplies the answer to the twofold
question of Eph. 1: 18. Christ, He is the hope, He is the riches of the glory, Christ among
you. The fact that although Israel had been completely set aside, the gospel could still be
preached among the Gentiles, was abundant proof of the reconciliation, and to know
Christ in this new sphere, the risen, exalted Head, was to know Who was the hope, the
riches, and the glory of the calling and of the mystery.
It will be observed that Christ is spoken of as Head in both Ephesians and Colossians,
and, with the exception of I Cor. 11: 3 ("the head of every man is Christ"), no other of
Paul's epistles speaks of Him in this capacity.
In Ephesians the Lord Jesus Christ is spoken of as "Head of the church," and in
Colossians "He is the Head of the body the church." But not only is Christ the Head of
the church, He is spoken of as Head over all things to the church, and "Head of all
principality and authority."
This Headship, uniting together as it does the church of the one body, and the
heavenly beings known as "principalities and powers," necessitates the special phase of
the reconciliation that is brought forward in Col. 1:
The parallel in Ephesians is somewhat hidden from the English reader. In Eph. 1: 10
the word translated in the A.V. "gather together in one," and in the R.V. "sum up," is
anakephalaiomai, which contains in verbal form the word kephale, which is translated
"Head." This passage therefore must be considered together with the others which give
the title of Head to the Lord. The word can be translated, "to head up," or "to gather
together under one Head," and although this rendering may not be elegant, it will
preserve the truth for us, which is of more importance.
The parallel between Eph. 1: 10 and Col. 1: 20, 21 has already been indicated, and
we can now see that the heading up of all things (ta panta) which are in heaven and earth,
the reconciling of all things (ta panta) which are in heaven and earth, the headship of the